1 Month Report, & A Question:

PeterJasonMN · 07-13-2008, 18:58

Well, I finally found a way to get my fat ass back in the gym. By having a roommate who's a health freak. So far in the last month I've dropped 23 pounds of chub, gone down over one pant size, and from a 19 to an 18 in dress shirts. Yet I've still gained some muscle in my arms/delts.

The question I have: Has anyone else tried that Anabolic Halo stuff? I bought some today (Arctic Tropical Punch flavor). Good LORD

That stuff tastes terrible.

BCR · 07-13-2008, 21:16

Wow 23lbs in a month is outstanding! Good for you.

Never tried Anabolic Halo.

California Jack · 07-13-2008, 21:35

Great job Peter! Keep at it and report regularily.

Never heard of the stuff. I think you'll find most of the regulars at this forum are skeptics when it comes to supplements. I think about the most exotic thing people will admit to taking around here is fish oil.

Oldskoolfan · 07-14-2008, 00:00

What kind of diet are you on?

PeterJasonMN · 07-14-2008, 02:12

The not drinking 2 Rockstars and 4+ Cokes per day diet.

I usually do 4-6 small meals per day, depending on how many hours I'll be up. I'm trying to tweak it a little more, but it's mainly consisting of Cheerios for breakfast, then beef, tuna, chicken, turkey, walleye, pasta, etc for the other meals. I've been trying to add more veggies and fruits as well.

I've cut all sodas, junk foods, fast foods, and most other restaurant foods as well.

What sucks is as much as I'd rather not go to one, I -wish- we had a "meathead" gym around here. All there are for options is places like Anytime (and copycats). I need a very loud, angry, hot environment to operate my best in. But all we have are these places AC'd to 65 degrees playing Britney Spears and ghetto pop music.

Even with an iPod you're still aware of all the people just there to dink around and not take things seriously.

DBradD · 07-14-2008, 07:58

Great job dude.

Perhaps create a home gym?

C0BRA · 07-14-2008, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by California Jack

Great job Peter! Keep at it and report regularily.

Never heard of the stuff. I think you'll find most of the regulars at this forum are skeptics when it comes to supplements. I think about the most exotic thing people will admit to taking around here is fish oil.

Googling reveals that Anabolic Halo is MuscleTech's latest and greatest concoction ... probably cost $300+ for a month's supply. I didn't bother looking at the ingredients as soon as I saw the MuscleTech affiliation.

I will admit to taking fish oil and BCAA's.

C0BRA · 07-14-2008, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterJasonMN

Well, I finally found a way to get my fat ass back in the gym. By having a roommate who's a health freak. So far in the last month I've dropped 23 pounds of chub, gone down over one pant size, and from a 19 to an 18 in dress shirts. Yet I've still gained some muscle in my arms/delts.

The question I have: Has anyone else tried that Anabolic Halo stuff? I bought some today (Arctic Tropical Punch flavor). Good LORD

That stuff tastes terrible.

Nice job! What does your training consist of? 23 pounds gone will make you feel like a new person!

TurboRocket · 07-14-2008, 15:04

Way to go.

I'm not sure that that Anabolic stuff is but, if it were me, I'd spend the money on quality whole foods.

proactive · 07-14-2008, 15:21

Outstanding work, PJMN! Spend your money on good food and maybe a protein powder for convenience IMO. Keep it up.

PeterJasonMN · 07-14-2008, 15:31

I've already got a protein powder. I've tried doing the recommended 1g of protein per body weight pound. No way. No way, no how. I'm right around 3-bills right now, and once I get above 250g of protein I just feel like crap.

The thing is, I'm not really sure WHERE I want to take my fitness level. Part of me just wants to tone the hell down and get down to around 180, where running will be a possibility again, but the other part of me wants to build up the muscle.

I've been reading the big book o'Schwarzenegger for ideas. The guy who owns the gym I go to wants me to do negatives more, and just focus on getting 1-2 sets in of complete burnout. I've tried it, and yes while my muscles are sore, I still feel like crap. I don't get excited, and don't get that rush. And that's what I need to really keep me going. What I'll probably more than likely do is lighten the weights a little bit, then do more reps until burnout.

DBradD, you have NO idea how much I'd love a real gym here.

TurboRocket · 07-14-2008, 17:07

PJMN,

First, just keep at it.

Second, 1 gram per lb of lean body mass is one key metric, not 1 gram per total body weight. So, try to figure out your % body fat right now, and then you can calculate your lean body mass. Some people even say that 1 gr/lb. is only for intense athletes, and that regular joes like you and I could start at .75 - .85 gr/lb.

Third, I would suggest more metabolic conditioning (metcon) and less focus on strength training for now. That is not to say don't do strength training. The metabolic conditioning will help you lose fat faster - once you are at a more agile weight, you'll start to get that rush from strength training (or training in general, for that matter). Believe me, going from doing nothing + a truckload of sugar a day, to what you are doing now... brother, you WILL gain muscle whether you like it or not

. I would say somewhere around 60/40 or 70/30, metcon over strength training. Perhaps give yourself a target... do 70/30 until you get to 250, then switch to 60/40 - something like that.

Fourth, for fitness ideas, see proactive's sticky at the top of GT S&C, keep coming back here, and check out www.CrossFit.com and www.RossTraining.com.

Finally, don't over-think it in terms of goals. Just log your progress and compete against yourself. For instance, find a day to run/jog/walk a mile. Log that exercise and the time. The next time you do that workout, try to beat your last time. Then rinse and repeat. How may push ups can you do? How many sit-ups? Whatever the measure, it doesn't matter. Just keep track of your progress. Some of your rush will come when you kick the snot out of your best time (aka, PR or personal record). Keep track of your PRs and beat it the next time.

Report back soon. We'd love to see your progress.

DBradD · 07-14-2008, 17:48

Awesome post TR. Couldn't agree more.

As for supps, I'll admit to 3 tsp of Carlson's "Very Finest" Fish Oil Liquid. Protein shake if I think I'm low on protein for the day and have no time for more real food.

Ross has lots of ideas for creating your own spartan gym.

Notrega · 07-14-2008, 18:33

Keep up the good work...

proactive · 07-14-2008, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBradD

Awesome post TR. Couldn't agree more.

As for supps, I'll admit to 3 tsp of Carlson's "Very Finest" Fish Oil Liquid. Protein shake if I think I'm low on protein for the day and have no time for more real food.

Ross has lots of ideas for creating your own spartan gym.

We should have a home gym/equipment thread if we don't already.

PeterJasonMN · 07-14-2008, 20:13

I still chuckle thinking back 10 years ago. 1998, I was doing seated tricep extensions with barbells ranging from 70-100 pounds. 2008: I'm sweating and swearing using the 20's

DBradD · 07-14-2008, 20:14

I agree.

I am also very envious that I didn't think of that sigline before you!! Cracks me up.

California Jack · 07-14-2008, 21:37

Quote:

The guy who owns the gym I go to wants me to do negatives more, and just focus on getting 1-2 sets in of complete burnout. I've tried it, and yes while my muscles are sore, I still feel like crap

What is that supposed to do for you?

Jack

California Jack · 07-14-2008, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by proactive

We should have a home gym/equipment thread if we don't already.

Get it rollin' pro.

PeterJasonMN · 07-14-2008, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by California Jack

What is that supposed to do for you?

Jack

I dunno. Marty has schizophrenia or something. He's bat**** nuts. I did read a bit on them in the Schwarzenegger "bible", and I can see their benefit in general, but he went absolutly postal about how if you do negatives to burnout you should only need one, two sets max.

BCR · 07-15-2008, 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by proactive

We should have a home gym/equipment thread if we don't already.

Me me me me. I want in!!!!

BCR · 07-15-2008, 01:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by California Jack

What is that supposed to do for you?

Jack

I thought I read that negaives stimulate the muscle quite a bit. But I'm a little foggy on it.

Perhaps even stimulates the muscle more than the eccentric?

Not sure, I'm winging it.